Christmas Tree Disaster/Recovery

I had to work the day after Thanksgiving, but came home to find that my grandkids had put up the Christmas tree, so I was very excited to see it was done. Later that night I saw a huge wad of lights tucked behind the tree. It seems that half of that string of lights didn't work, so... kids being kids, they just let it lie on the floor behind the tree. And I, being me,  had to see if I could fix the lights and get them off the floor and on the tree.

It didn't take long for me to realize that something was wrong. The lights were hot to the touch. I knew I could just unplug them and replace them, but I panicked at what could have happened. I guess I thought that if something went wrong with the lights,, they would just go out. When I realized they didn't,  I kind of became frantic. Ok, for a few minutes a was a raving lunatic trying to get the lights off the tree.

I spent a couple hours trading out bulbs to see if I could find the defective one, but then came upon a whole string that had every bulb blown ( they were black). By this time it was 4:30 am and I was too tired to try to fix anything. I figured I'd get some sleep and figure out what to do in the morning (well, later in the morning).

The disaster recovery plan was to trash ALL of the old lights and get new ones. So, off to Target I went. I bought some pretty soft white led lights and a couple boxes of jewel tone color lights.

I came home and replaced the lights and the grandkids put all the decorations back on. It's beautiful again!

Tracy Weinzapfel's November Challenge

This is my November Challenge... my first challenge with Tracy.

We were asked to choose a color pallet and then paint.. Tracy's theme choice this month is 'Gratitude'.

 It was so emotionally difficult for me to participate in this challenge. First, it is my first time showing my work to the group and that alone causes anxiety for me. It took about 4 days to commit to joining in and taking that first step. We aren't talking about digital scrapping here (my comfort zone).

So, out I traveled to Pinterest and found a picture with colors that I just loved. I tried to match them with deco art paints. Of course I had NONE of those colors, so I knew I would have to mix to match. And, I must say that that part of this project went well. 

Marching on, however, I painted. The picture is good... my words are true. But, I am such a symmetrical person, I had a hard time letting go and allowing my text to be crooked (what Tracy did intentionally in hers). Why does it look good to me when others do it? 

You can see Tracy's painting here:
http://tracywburgos.typepad.com/treasure_the_momentlove_l/2013/11/mixed-media-monday-re-cap-11413-gratitude.html

Well, I put it out on facebook in our group and I received a lot of encouraging feedback. I love these ladies !!!!

So now, I need to upload it to the challenge. 

Ya Ya

Thank You, Veteran's and Current Military Personnel

I thought it was important for me to publicly say thank you to all past and present military personnel who have served me, my family, my friends, and my country. Though a have a heart full of appreciation for you every day, I honestly can't say I show that gratitude on a daily basis.

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

I respect and honor both those who have served in our military in the past and those who are serving still. Thank you!